Outdoor Retailer will return to Denver for an in-person conference 2 months later than usual.
Emerald Expositions announced the outdoor trade show will now be held from Aug. 10 to 12, 2021. It returns to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver with safety guidelines in place.
Originally slated for June, the show moved its dates back due to continued COVID-19 concerns, which caused the last two shows to use an online format. The last in-person event was the January 2020 Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show.
“This change allows more time to facilitate a safe and successful in-person event, gives exhibitors and attendees more days to plan participation and provides greater peace-of-mind in the opportunity to gather and do business together,” wrote Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer’s senior vice president and show director, in a statement.
Outdoor Retailer will still use the webinar format for its summer education sessions, presented with the Outdoor Industry Association.
Post COVID-19: Looking Forward to In-Person Trade Shows
Emerald Holding Inc. operates more than 100 events annually, though Outdoor Retailer is the largest in the active lifestyle market. Shuttering expos and other trade shows in the second half of 2020 took a financial toll, with $633 million in losses reported for the year. Emerald’s reported fourth-quarter revenue dropped nearly 73%, from $44.9 million to $12.2 million (only some of which was insured).
Outdoor Retailer sees a brighter outdoor market ahead, one invigorated by more participation last year.
Nicholson cited the boom and opportunity for retailers this summer. “Now, we have a chance to embrace the new consumers and welcome all into our incredible community,” Nicholson wrote. “They become lifelong outdoorists when we collectively nurture the new pursuits and ensure accessible adventures. We do that as a united industry and through the relationships we build.”
Of note, the new OR dates fall one week before The Big Gear Show, an emerging outdoor and bike trade show scheduled to be held in Park City, Utah, from Aug. 3 to 5.
